MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle announces that the Melrose Police Department will participate in the national Click It or Ticket campaign next week to promote seat belt use through increased traffic enforcement.

The initiative is organized through the Massachusetts Highway Safety Division and will run from May 8-29.

According to the state’s annual seat belt observation study, Massachusetts seat belt usage is significantly lower than the national average – 78 percent compared to 90 percent. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that out of the 172 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in the Commonwealth in 2015, 64 percent were not wearing seat belts.